I'll Be Back

Based on somewhat true events in my life. Sometimes the problems we obsess over end up being nothing. Other times, we sometimes think things are simpler then they actually are.

My alarm goes off and I get a feeling similar to what an English soldier might have felt waking up to a blitzkrieg. I loathe waking up sometimes. It means I actually have to make an effort when I'd rather just keep sleeping. I drag myself out of bed and put on my slippers. Why do they feel weird? Oh, they're on the wrong feet. I'm too groggy to care though. After crossing the Sahara desert that was my home, my body deflated in my wooden kitchen stool. It made an annoying creak and I mumble some jibberish.

"What's that Muffin?" my wife, Belle, asks.

"I'm not a morning person," I respond. She chuckles. I've always wondered how she could be so cheery in the morning.

She hands me a plate of pancakes and a cup of coffee. The caffeine in the coffee practically resurrects me from my zombie-like state. I take a bite of the pancakes. Hers are like IHOP's but better. I take another sip and let the coffee and pancakes play tag in my mouth for awhile. The way the two flavors combine always amazes me.

"So what's the plan for today?" she chirps whimsically. I gather my thoughts and swallow my last bite.

"It's pretty slow. I just need to signup for a membership at that gym on Treetime blvd. You know the one. I just feel like I could do with losing a few pounds."

"You look fine Cheesecake but go ahead haha."

"Oh yeah, I completely forgot about something. It's really important that you record the Sharapova/Williams Australian Open final. Actually, I'll just do it right now." I go to the living room and look around for the remote. I can't find it but I do notice a new lamp.

"I like this new lamp, Belle."

"I knew you would!" she yells from the kitchen. 

I go back to the kitchen after an unsuccessful search for the remote. Belle is doing a crossword puzzle.

"I really need you to record this match. I couldn't find the remote. Please, you know how much tennis means to me."

"You and your tennis matches haha. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."

"Please," I insist. "It's the final of the Australian Open."

"Gaston, you're making too much fuss about this. I'll look for the remote when I finish this crossword!"

I kiss her goodbye and head toward the front door.

"You're going in pajamas?" she wonders out loud.

I look at my attire. Slippers (now more awake, I put them on the appropriate foot), blue, argyle bottoms, and a faded Everybody Loves Raymond t-shirt. I shrug. I'll be in and out so I really don't think it's necessary. Besides, this is my favorite shirt. 

"I'll be back," I reply.

My cellphone and wallet are in my car already. I guess I left them there last night. I don't feel like I drank though and wouldn't I have remembered? Anyways, how much is this membership anyway? I guess I'll find out when I get there. I drive to Treetime blvd, which takes 7 or 8 minutes, and I park my car. I text Belle, "Don't forget! Lol." Putting "lol" at the end of a message always makes it ten times better. The cereal is poison lol. I tripped you lol. I won the lottery lol. My mind sometimes...

She texts me, ":) still looking!" I start to open the door but in it's reflection, I see that I forgot my headlights on. I do, however, happen to make awkward eye contact with the girl at the front desk. I mouth out the words "I'll be back" and I head back to my car. After turning them off, I get back to the door and say hi to her. 

"Hey there. I left my lights on."

"I saw," she says amusingly. "What can I do for you today?"

"I'd like to become a member, please. How much is it for, i don't know, six months?" She reminds me of Miranda Kerr.

"300 bucks and you get a free t-shirt!"

"Terrific," I say as I hand her my American Express card.

"Oh. We don't accept American Express but there's an ATM in the grocery store across the street."

"Alright, I'll be back."

Still in my pajamas, I jaywalk towards the ATM machine. My right foot sticks to the ground for longer then it should have. Gum. I remember when I used to chew gum. "In third grade!" I shout. No one was is in the parking lot so what do I care... I text Belle, ":)" and she almost instantly replies with ":/ not yet." I walk past the automatic doors and look around for the machine. It's by the dog food and there is a line.

A young guy with "Narnia" tattooed on the back of his neck is at the helm and is taking his time deciding if he wanted to withdraw $50 or $500. That's a significant difference so I can't imagine why he has to think about it this much. After like five minutes the next guy went. He was obviously drunk and kept going on about how he was going to make bank at the casino tonight. We are nowhere near a casino so good luck with that, dude. He takes out five grand and skips away. The last individual in front of me is a soccer mom. Her transaction is quick and painless. She smiles at my shirt and walks away. Finally.

I swipe my card and it says, "ERROR 897605949 SEEK ASSISTANCE." Annoyed, I go to a cashier and explain what happened. He says he'll call someone but it'll take around thirty minutes. Or I can just buy something and ask for cash back. So I ask him what aisle the waffles are in and before he can answer, I head off looking for them. The coffee is wearing off and I just want to get the waffles, pay the gym fee, and get home. There are no normal chocolate chip waffles, only those weird-tasting whole wheat ones. I'll just get plain ones instead. There's no need to sacrifice anymore. Walking back to the counter, some guy says he likes my shirt.

"Waffles? It's a little late for breakfast wouldn't you say? Haha," the cashier says, condescendingly.

"Well they're actually for tomorrow." I stare at him blankly and he forces a smile.

The maze of the day is almost finished. I sneeze and cross the street. Money in hand, I walk to the door. To my despair, there is a piece of lined paper taped to it. It reads, "I'll be back :)".  

I get a text from Belle that says, "I found the remote in the bathroom of all places lol! Also, it says that you recorded it yesterday haha :p Oh Gaston :) I'm going to work but I'll be back!"

Author's Note

I really enjoy reading your comments!
This is back when I was still trying to find my style

Reviews

[ZackOfBridge]

Haha some random stuff made me laugh, like flavors playing tag in your mouth and treetime blvd. haha keeps it up Gaston

[Gaston Villanueva]

Thanks Mr. Puente! I appreciate the support!

[Chadvonswan]

Arnold Schwarzenegger would appreciate the themes in this. Hahah I giggled at the Everybody loves Raymond t-shirt reference. I would like to see some more of this Miranda Kerr looking babe haha. Nice write Gaston---pretty good for your first story. I would suggest keeping yourself as the main character in the next story too !!

[Gaston Villanueva]

Thank you sir! I'll keep your comments in mind!